Bobcats Face Divisional Contenders as Playoff Push Heats Up
February 12, 2016 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bismarck Bobcats News Release
BISMARCK, ND - The Bismarck Bobcats will open up the third act of the 2015-16 season against two teams in playoff position when they face the Minot Minotauros and Brookings Blizzard Friday and Saturday, respectively.
Friday's matchup-the capper on a seven-game home stand-will be a battle for the top spot in the Central Division: the Bobcats lead Minot by just one point for first place.
Minot made major waves at the 2016 roster deadline, trading away top scorer Johnny Walker and goalkeeper Jon Flakne while bringing in forward Matt Jennings, netminder Gunner Rivers and former Brookings defenseman Joe Nathe.
Rivers is 2-0-1, including one shutout, since coming to the Minotauros from Odessa in late January.
With Walker's departure to Topeka, second-year winger Christian Mohs assumes the team lead in scoring for Minot with 34 points (13g, 21a); Max Reisinger-another mid-season acquisition-has the hot hand for the Minotauros with three goals and seven assists in nine games since arriving in a trade from Wichita Falls.
Brookings, meanwhile, has stayed above the division's postseason cut-line thanks to the torrid play of forward Griff Jeszka, the reigning Central Division Star of the Week: the first-year center has 10 points in five games (2g, 8a).
In five appearances against the Bobcats this season, Blizzard goalie Josh Kuemichel has amassed an impressive 178 saves and a .913 SV% while earning both Brookings wins over the black and gold.
For the Cats, top scorer Aaron Herdt had his team-high nine-game point streak halted in Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Minnesota Wilderness. The Moorhead, Minn., native is tied for second in the Central Division in overall points at 39 (16g, 23a).
Bobcat goalie Hunter Shepard tops all NAHL goalies with 24 wins and is top ten in both GAA (2.10) and SV% (.922).
Tickets are now on sale for Friday's rivalry throwdown: fans can buy and print tickets 24 hours a day at BismarckBobcats.com, by clicking "Shop Now" on the team Facebook page or by calling 222-3300.
Friday's installment of the Battle of Highway 83 will be broadcast live locally on SuperTalk 1270, KLXX-AM, the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, and worldwide online at NAHL.FASTHockey.com-the official web television partner of the North American Hockey League-with pregame coverage starting at 6:45pm.
Season tickets are still on sale for the 2015-16 season at a pro-rated price; if you want to beat the rush of over 40,000 fans for this year, now is the time! Call 222-3300 to reserve your seats today.
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